PRINCIPAL EVENTS IN BACON'S LIFE, AND TIMES. Born (youngest of eight children, six of whom were by a former marriage). Son of Sir Nicholas Bacon, Jan. 22 The Council of Trent breaks up. Revolt of the Netherlands; Execution of Counts Egmont and Horn.. Elizabeth is excommunicated A.D. 1560-1* 1563 1566-7 1570 He is admitted 'de societate magistrorum' at Gray's Inn 1576 In France with Sir Amias Paulet. 1576-8 His father dies, and he returns to England 1579 1582 Conspiracies against Elizabeth; The Parliament sanctions 1583-4 1584 William of Orange assassinated 1584 Writes Letter of Advice to Queen Elizabeth+ 1584 About this time was written the Greatest Birth of Time‡ 1585 * This is our 1561. But in Bacon's time the 'civil' year began with March 25, the 'historical' year with January 1. The dates that follow will be given according to the modern reckoning. + Mr. Spedding inclines to think this letter was written by Bacon. Writing in 1625, Bacon says: 'It being now forty years, as I remember, since I composed a juvenile work on this subject, which, with great confidence and a magnificent title, I named "The Greatest Birth of Time.""Life, Vol. vii. p. 533. Asks the Earl of Leicester to further a suit urged in his Advertisement touching the Controversies of the Church of Elizabeth adopts as her favourite the Earl of Essex · A Conference of Pleasure containing the Praise of Fortitude,' 'the Praise of Love, the Praise of Knowledge,' 'the Praise of the Queen.' A.D. 1588 1589 1589 1589 1589 1593 Certain Observations made upon a Libel† published this present year. 1593 1593 Some Members of Parliament are imprisoned for present- A true Report of the detestable treason intended by Dr. Roderigo Lopez, a physician attending upon the person of the Queen's Majesty. Sues unsuccessfully for the place of Attorney and then for that of Solicitor-General. Gesta Grayorum, a Device represented at Gray's Inn. Rebellion of Tyrone; End of Religious Wars in France Essex makes a present of an estate to Bacon to console him for his disappointment; Bacon's Device, written for Essex Alliance between Elizabeth and Henry IV.. Essays (first edition) with Colours of Good and Evil and *Mr. Spedding informs me that this letter, which fixes the acquaintance of Bacon with Essex a little earlier than was supposed, was mentioned to him by Mr. Bruce, after the publication of his earlier volumes. The 'Libel' is described by Mr. Spedding as 'a laboured invective against the government, charging upon the Queen and her advisers all the evils of England and all the disturbances of Christendom.' 'The gentlemen,' he says in his speech, 'must sell their plate, and the farmers their brass pots, ere this will be paid.' Essex suddenly makes truce with Tyrone, and returns, against orders, to England. 1599 Essex placed under restraint, and not restored to favour, though set at liberty 1600 Outbreak of Essex: his arraignment (in which Bacon takes part) and execution 1601 Speaks against Repeal of 'Statute of Tillage' 1601 A declaration of the Practices and Treasons attempted and committed by Robert, late Earl of Essex, and his Com Bacon seeks to get himself recommended to the King's favour 1603 A brief discourse touching the happy Union of the Kingdoms of England and Scotland 1603 He desires to meddle as little as he can in the King's causes,' and to 'put his ambition wholly upon his pen.' He is engaged on a work concerning the 'Invention of Sciences,' which he has digested in two parts, one being entitled Interpretatio Naturæ. At this time he probably writes the De Interpretatione Naturæ Proæmium 1603 Certain considerations touching the better pacification and edification of the Church of England. Conference at Hampton Court; Translation of the Bible into the Authorised Version; Proclamation of the Act of Uniformity. . 1603 1604 A.D. Sir Francis Bacon his Apology in certain imputations concerning the late Earl of Essex, first printed copy is dated 1604 Bacon repeatedly chosen to be spokesman for Committees of the House of Commons in Conference with the Lords. 1604 Draft by Bacon of An Act for the better grounding of a further Union to ensue between the Kingdoms of England and Scotland 1604 Appointed an 'ordinary member of the Learned Counsel' 1604 1604 1604 The most humble Certificate or Return of the Commissioners of England and Scotland, authorised to treat of an union for the weal of both realms. 2 Jac. 1. Prepared but altered Publication of the Advancement of Learning The Gunpowder Plot Marriage of Bacon to Alice Barnham Bacon requests Dr. Playfair to translate the Advancement of Learning into Latin Bacon made Solicitor-General Colonisation of Virginia 1604 1605 1605 1606 1606 Bacon shows Sir Thomas Bodley the Cogitata et Visa de Conversion of Toby Matthew (one of Bacon's most inti- Begins of the true Greatness of the kingdom of Britain; Bacon sends to Toby Matthew a part of Instauratio Magna (the part is supposed to be the Redargutio Philosophiarum) . Bacon sends to Bishop Andrewes a copy of Cogitata et Visa, with the last additions and amendments. He also sends to Toby Matthew his De Sapientia Veterum A.D. 1609 1609 1609 Sends to Toby Matthew a MS. supposed to be the Redar The first English settlement in India is founded at Surat Second Edition of the Essays 1612 Writes Descriptio Globi Intellectualis and Thema Cali Napier invents Logarithms The Princess Elizabeth marries the Elector Palatine Russia. Bacon returned for Cambridge University Prosecution and examination (with torture) of Peacham June 7 The last Assembly of the States-General in France 1613 Coke suspended from his office of Chief Justice of King's A letter of advice written by Sir Francis Bacon to the 1616 |